Hey guys! Thanks so much for the positive feedback, it means a lot. I also got some good criticism-which is great too. I'm not going to call out the two specific ones but I owe you two a huge thanks (you know who you are) and to be patient. It was only chapter 1, I can only gain EXP from here. The story will diverge later on, you'll see. Let's start!
Akira sat on her bed, tying her braids one last time.
This was her fifth attempt to do them correctly. She was having a hard time keeping her mind focused.
"That dream..."
Clink clack. Clink clack.
She groaned as she opened her eyes. They instantly widened as she quickly sat up. This wasn't Sojiro's attic. It was too dark and he DEFINITELY didn't give her a cot to sleep on.
This was just too weird.
The shackles around her wrists and ankles clanked noisily as she attempted to get off the bed.
As she fumbled about, footsteps drew closer to her. Two girls-twins probably- with bleached white hair and yellow eyes. They were dressed strangely, as if they were prison wardens?
This really is too weird.
Nonetheless, Akira stalked towards them. Approaching the metal bars, she noticed it wasn't just herself and the twins.
The was a man with an absurdly long nose, grinning creepily at her, sitting down at a desk.
"Welcome to my Velvet Room Trickster."
Trickster?
"Hey! You dressed up there?"
Akira blinked and quickly finished her hair.
"Y-yes!"
She stood up and greeted him as he came up. She struggled to hold in a giggle at the sight of his fedora.
"Ok we're going to Shujin. I'll drive you for today only. You'll take the train starting tomorrow."
She nodded and followed him out of Leblanc and into his car. He drove down the busy streets, eventually stopping around Shujin Academy. It wasn't anything special to her, just your typical school.
"Hey! Don't be so distracted, the principal is waiting for us."
"Coming."
Akira quickly followed after him to an office. A secretary led them to another room then left us there to be called in.
Even the inside of the academy was the same. City schools look almost the same as country side schools-minus the subways.
"Come in."
Sojiro opened the door for her, revealing a very portly man with no neck in a tight tan suit. Besides him was a young woman with black unruly hair and a tired expression on her face.
Looks like she had no choice to be here either.
"I am the principal of Shujin Academy. You may call me Principal Kobayakawa. This is your homeroom teacher."
"I'm Sadayo Kawakami. I'll be your homeroom teacher. Here's your student I.D."
She slid it across the table. As Akira took it, she noted she wasn't acting as if she was a nuisance. Or at least not yet.
"By the way, I can't protect you if you choose to do anything inappropriate. That is your promise, right Principal
Kobayakawa?"
There it is.
The two begin to talk, Ms. Kawakami obviously complaining why she of all people had to get such a bad student. Akira frowned, as did Sojiro. It seemed even teachers wouldn't give her the time of day. They warned her what would happen if she stepped out of line. To top it off, getting expelled from here practically guaranteed no other school would accept her. Sojiro glanced at Akira then the principal.
"Are we done here? I have a restaurant to take care of." He said impatiently.
"Of course. Sakura-san please watch over her." Principal Kobayakawa said seriously.
He nodded and walked out of the room, quickly followed by Akira. As soon as they escaped from the school, Sojiro heaved out a large sigh.
"They were treating you like a damn nuisance."
"Yeah. I'm pretty used to it by now." She said dejectedly.
"Seems like your record followed you all the way out here. Wouldn't surprise me if rumors started flying around." He muttered.
His words rang true. Her teachers would undoubtedly know of her criminal record, and students always find out the newest gossip somehow.
"Come on, let's go back."
She nodded and followed him to the car. They drove in silence for sometime, but got stuck in traffic eventually.
"Do you think you can handle school life?"
"I'm sure I'll be fine."
Sojiro nods and focuses back to driving, honking his horn at the stagnant cars surrounding them. He continued complaining, but it was the city. What else could you expect? She closed her eyes and rested her head against the car window. Her mind drifted back towards the Velvet Room.
Her hands shook the cell bars violently but they didn't budge.
"So you've come to, Inmate." One of the twins sneered.
"The you in reality is currently fast asleep. You are experiencing this as a dream." The other twin said calmly.
Experiencing as a dream? So is this a real place or something?
The angry one glared her down.
"You're in the presence of our master. Stand up straight!"
Akira quickly straightened herself. She never knew children could be so frightening. It seemed their master was the strange man in the center of the room.
"Welcome. I am delighted to make your aquaintance."
A chill ran down her spine.
'Perhaps if he didn't look so creepy that welcome would be more reassuring.'
"This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room only those who are bound by a contract may enter."
Contract?
"I am Igor, the master of this place. Remember it well. I summoned you here to speak of important matters. It involves your life as well."
Akira groaned inwardly. What else in her life could go terrible wrong? This was beginning to be annoying.
"Just let me out." She said, banging angrily on the bars.
The angry twin quickly slammed her nightstick against the bars, barely missing Akira's fingers. Luckily, she had backed away in time.
"Know your place inmate! Who do you think you're talking to!?"
She made a mental note to not lash out at Igor-else this small girl may chop off her limbs.
Igor droned on, saying things that she could barely fathom but such topics were related to her being a prisoner of fate. As if she didn't have a clue about that yet. It was when he spoke of ruin did she truly understand.
"Why is this happening to me?" She said in exasperation.
"I speak of the end to everything. However, there is a mean to oppose such a fate. You must be rehabilitated. Rehabilitated toward freedom..."
Igor paused momentarily.
"That is your only means to avoid ruin... Do you have the resolve to challenge the distortion of the world?"
She blinked at him before nodding. If anything, she wanted to avoid ruin. Igor rested his chin on his hands.
"Allow me to observe the path of your rehabilitation."
The twins nodded at each other and stepped out of their stationary positions, standing before Akira. They seemed to be waiting for something.
"Ah, pardon me for not introducing the others. To your right is Caroline; to your left, Justine. They serve as wardens here."
Caroline sneered at her once more.
"Hmph, try and struggle as hard as you like." She snapped.
"The duty of wardens is to protect inmates. We are also your collaborators." Justine added.
At least Justine seems civil...
"...That is, if you remain obedient."
Of course she isn't.
"I shall explain the roles of these two at another occasion." Igor said, cutting in.
It seemed her time in the strange Velvet Room was waning. Igor bid her farewell, guaranteeing they would meet once more.
"Hey, wake up."
Sojiro gentle shook Akira until her eyes sleepily opened. It seemed they were back at Leblanc. The traffic jam must've been hectic; it was already evening.
"What a waste of time... I couldn't even open the shop." Sojiro complained.
Akira couldn't help but agree. All that really happened was the principal threatening her with expulsion. This day was just exhausting for her.
"I'm going to head to bed." Akira said, heading up the stairs.
"Hold on. Here."
Sojiro placed a brown notebook in her hand.
"Your probation officers want you to keep a log of your activity here."
"Ok I will. Goodnight."
Akira promotly went up the stairs, Sojiro's eyes following her.
"Poor kid..." He muttered before leaving.
Akira sighed as she sat on her bed. She really wasn't looking forward to school tomorrow. Especially if the rumors about her got around. Her phone buzzed and she frowned as she pulled it out.
'That strange app? What is happening?'
She lacked the energy to deal with it today, so she just shut it off and plugged it in-crawling into bed as well. She drifted into slumber relatively fast and was saddened when she woke. Her first day as a Shijin Academy student would most definitely be memorable. Dragging herself out of bed, she went on to shower and dress. Once done, she grabbed her bag and descended into Leblanc cafe.
"Good morning." She said once she saw Sojiro.
"Hey. Sit down and eat breakfast."
She obediently sat down, and a plate of curry was placed in front of her.
"Hurry up and eat it before the customers start coming in."
It was strange to eat such a dish for breakfast, but decided against complaining. Akira spooned it into her mouth and soon found it difficult to stop shovelling it down her mouth.
'SO GOOD!'
The flavor was so rich and delicious that she was disappointed when her plate was empty.
"That was amazing!"
Sojiro gave her a sheepish grin.
"It's not all that. Anyway start heading out before my customers arrive."
Akira nodded. She stood and waved as she headed out the door. Outside, she flipped the sign to open and hurried to the station. Unlike her hometown, she had no choice but to ride several trains to reach the school.
She hated the trains.
Every passenger was jammed into the small car, and it was beyond unpleasant. She clutched her bag her chest and tried her best to breath evenly. The TV was on the news, discussing the recent train accident increase. It truly was a terrible ride. Looks like she was going to have to get used to it. By the time she could get off and just walk, it began to rain.
Just my luck...
She ran for cover under a nearby building awning. She brushed her wet locks of hair out of her eyes. Her glasses were fogging up too. Whilst cleaning her lens, a hooded figure stood next to her. When she replaced them, it became clear said hooded figure was female.
When she removed her hood, Akira couldn't help but gasp.
This girl was most definitely was a model with that flawless skin, crystal blue eyes, and originally blonde hair. She couldn't stop but stare at this extraordinary girl. Unfortunately for her, the girl noticed her burning gaze and looked back at her. Instead of blasting her or giving her a creeped out look- she smiled at Akira.
It only lasted for a second, but it felt like a century to her. Her smile was innocent and filled with warmth and kindness. So when she turned away, the cold seemed to wash over her.
That girl is wearing the Shujin uniform. Maybe we could be friends?
The idea brought hope into her heart. Perhaps she wouldn't be cast out as easily as she thought. Akira pulled out her phone, trying to think of a casual way to start a conversation with her. Ever since she was expelled, it was safe to say her conversational skills had gone down the drain. Stalling for time, she pulled out her phone, feigning interest in a fake text. Soon enough, that strange app popped back onto her screen, but this time it opened. Her fingers tapped the screen but it refused to close. She turned back to the girl, but was distracted by a car pulling up to the curb. The driver rolled down the window and peered out. It was a man with dark curly hair.
"Good morning, you need a ride? You'll be late at this rate."
"Um sure, thanks."
The blonde girl walked towards the car as if it was the most normal thing to do in a situation like this. He then fixed his gaze on Akira.
"Do you need a ride too?"
"No, I'm fine." She said quickly.
The man nodded and focused back on the wheel, rolling up the window. Just before she completely disappeared from sight, she saw the blonde girl make another face this time.
It didn't radiate warmth or happiness. Instead it was fear, distaste, and disgust. As the car veered from the curb, a blonde haired boy sprinted past her, only missing it by a fraction of a second.
"Damn pervy teacher!" He panted.
She tilted her head in confusion.
"Pervy teacher?"
The app trilled in her hand but she ignored it. He cursed more under his breath. The boy locked eyes with her and gazed upon her with suspicion.
With that look he's definitely a delinquent.
"Whatcha staring at? Interested in Kamoshida?" He sneered.
"Kamo...shida?"
His threatening look lessened, replaced by confusion.
"You go to Shujin, but ain't heard of Kamoshida?"
"I just transferred here."
"Well stay away from that asshole. He screws with everyone that he doesn't agree with."
His statement shocked her.
How could such a deplorable man be a teacher?
Ryuji seemed to still be raging angrily too.
"He sees himself as the damn king of the castle!"
"Castle?"
"N-no I didn't mean that."
He sighs in exasperation at her cluelessness. He looks her up and down, then grins a little.
"You know, you're pretty cute."
She coughs and turns away slightly to hide her blush. It's been a while since anyone complimented her, but no one had ever said something like that before. She had never had a boyfriend or even admirers before. Even if she did, having a criminal record would've pushed them away.
"Come on we'd better get going unless you wanna be late." He said.
Akira nodded, pocketing her phone. Suddenly, a wave of pain shot through her head. The blonde boy must've felt it too. He cradled his head abd muttered a complaint before leading her down an alley.
He was a few steps ahead of her, but he slowed his pace to help her keep up. She felt something strange but failed to put her finger on it.
Probably first day jitters.
"What the!?"
The boy's yells brings her back to reality. She gasped at the sight in front of them. The sign said Shujin Academy but there was no doubt that this wasn't their school. Replacing the academy was a large magnificent castle.
"What's going on?" She asked turning to him.
"How the hell should I know!?"
They stared at the castle for what felt like eons before he broke the silence.
"Might as well go in right?" He said.
She looked at him nervously, unsure of what to say.
"Come on, I'll look after ya. Promise."
For some reason she trusted him. Maybe it was the way he looked at her, or perhaps the sincerity of his voice; she trusted him.
"Ok, let's go."
He led her into the castle in awe. It was furnished with golden decorations and lavish red carpets, lined with suits of armor.
"Is this for real?"
"It seems so."
The castle was certainly glamorous but there was an odd, harrowing feeling hanging in the air. A clanking noise echoed in the walls.
The two went rigid.
The clanking drew closer and Akira found herself inching closer to the boy. Her stomach dropped as a moving suit of armor walked up to them. The boy seemed undaunted as he strode up to it while Akira struggled to withhold her screams.
"That's some costume. How'd you make it so realistic?"
Can he not tell it's NOT a costume?
His realization came soon enough when more suits of armor strode up to them as if they were soldiers.
"Come on! Don't just stand there!" He yelled.
He grabbed her arm, yanking Akira after him. Unfortunately, their exit was blocked off as more soldiers appeared from the many corridors.
"You are unauthorized to be here!" One commands.
"Capture them!" Another demands.
The soldiers draw closer, surrounding them, blocking them from running anywhere. The boy stood protectively in front of her, but there was no way he could stand against them. The closet one bashes him in the back with its shield, knocking him to the ground.
"Don't hurt him." She said, kneeling besides him.
"Hey! Y-you're gonna break my damn bones..." He whimpers.
The next thing she knew, a hard blunt object smacked into the back of her skull. The world around her grew dark as she collasped onto the ground. The last thing she could see was vivid blonde hair.
I hope you enjoyed so far. Ryuji finally appears. I wanted Akira to show more emotion to this situation, specifically fear, since the MC in the game doesn't really react at all. I felt as if Ryuji would attempt to protect a female MC harder than the male MC. Anyway that's all, have a nice day.
